Apparatus for carrying hand-held wireless electronic device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method to enable the carrying of a wireless device safely and securely while adding protection to the device and while preserving accessibility for use of the device with minimal adverse impact on such use. The apparatus and method enable a plurality of structures for carrying the wireless device.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present application relates generally to the field of personal electronic devices, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for enabling a user of such devices to safely and conveniently carry them.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Personal electronic wireless devices such as mobile telephones, personal audio and video players, and personal electronic work aids have become increasingly popular and widely used over the past decade. This development has created a market for protective cases for these devices. These cases generally perform their primary function of protecting the wireless device but typically do not address another common user requirement—some means for carrying the wireless device on or near one's person in such a manner as to preserve ready accessibility. Carrying the wireless device in a pocket or purse often defeats rapid access to the device when needed, for example, to answer a wireless telephone or to make entries onto a personal electronic work aid.

A protective case for a wireless device provides an opportunity to incorporate such a carrying means insofar as the wireless device is generally safely and firmly attached or enclosed in the case. However, protective cases which do make an effort to provide for carrying have heretofore involved some sort of additional holder mounted on the case that can be attached to a person's belt or clipped onto a purse. Such holders may be bulky and often interfere with handling the device during use. Satisfactory protective cases for wireless devices which provide a means both for protecting the device as well as for carrying the device without adding bulk and which does this while providing good accessibility for use of the device with minimal interference are generally not available.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a purpose of embodiments of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for protecting a wireless device which also provides a means for safely and securely carrying the device while preserving accessibility for use of the device with minimal adverse impact on such use. It is a further purpose of the embodiments of the present invention to provide such means with flexible and multiple methods of carrying available to the user. It is also a purpose of the embodiments of the present invention to provide a means for safely and securely carrying a wireless device without also requiring that the device be enclosed in a protective case.

The following summary of the invention embodiments is provided to enable an understanding of some of the invention's novel features but is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the aspects of the various embodiments will be provided by the entire specification, claims, drawing, and abstract as a whole.

One feature of embodiments of the invention is to provide a structure which serves to protect a wireless device and which also provides a means by which a user may conveniently and securely carry the device.

A further feature is to provide adaptability to a plurality of means by which wireless devices may be carried by the person, such as by attachment to clothing or an article being carried by or worn by the user of the device, or by carrying it using a lanyard around the neck or wrist.

A further feature is to provide a structure which enables a user of a wireless device to conveniently and securely carry the device without a requirement that the device be enclosed in a protective case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The objects, advantages, features, and other desirable characteristics of embodiments of the invention can be readily perceived from the following detailed description and attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interior of the back side of one embodiment of a protective case in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the exterior of the back side of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the FIG. 2A embodiment, showing three alternative tab attachment structures;

FIG. 3A is a view of a lanyard and spring-activated clip for use with several embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the lanyard of FIG. 3A connected to an attachment element of the embodiment in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exterior of the back of another embodiment of the invention showing attachment of the lanyard;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the exterior of the back of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of another embodiment of an attachment clip adapted for use with the FIG. 5A embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 showing the attachment clip and a portion of a lanyard installed on the case;

FIG. 6B shows the lanyard and attachment clip of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the exterior of the back of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7B shows another embodiment of an attachment clip and lanyard for attachment to the case of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 showing a lanyard and the attachment clip installed onto a protective case;

FIG. 9 is a back view of a wireless device with a protective sheet attached in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10A is an additional view of the protective sheet of FIG. 9 having a tab attachment structure;

FIG. 10B is a side view of the protective sheet of FIG. 10A, showing three alternative tab attachment structures; and

FIG. 11 is a side view of one of the embodiments of FIG. 10 installed on a wireless device with a lanyard attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the invention wherein protective case 10 is shaped to fit snugly onto a wireless device so that the face of the device is fully exposed but the sides and back of the device are enclosed by the protective case. The protective case may be fabricated from plastic or rubber or other material with elastic and friction properties which allow it to remain firmly attached to the wireless device once installed in place, and permitting it to be removed from the case. Preferred materials for such a case are thermoplastic elastomers of which polyurethane would be one example. A typical range of thicknesses for the back surface of protective case 10 is 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

One side 12 of the protective case will be adjacent to the back side of the wireless device. U-shaped slit 15 is cut through the back as shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the material from which the protective case is made is selected to be sufficiently flexible to enable tab 13 created by slit 15 to bend away from remainder of the back. Tab 13 may have flat surface 17 or it may be provided with slot 14 or rib 21, as shown in FIG. 2B with tabs 18 and 20, respectively.

In this embodiment, carrying of the wireless device with protective case 10 installed is accomplished by means of lanyard 21 to which is attached spring-activated clip 22, as shown in FIG. 3. The spring-activated clip is provided with two mating jaws which are normally closed together by the force of the spring but may be separated by countering the spring-action. Separating the jaws of the spring-activated clip allows the jaws of the clip to be clamped with the force of the spring activation to flat surface 17 of tab 13. Alternatively, a more secure attachment of the clip to tab 13 can be achieved by engaging the jaws of clip 22 with slot 14 or with rib 21, as shown in FIG. 3B. The lanyard may include a conventional swivel device 21A.

Lanyard 21 may be held by the user for carrying the wireless device or wrapped around the user's wrist or hung from their neck. Alternatively, the lanyard may be tied to a piece of clothing, to a belt, to a purse, or to a briefcase, to a backpack strap, or to any other convenient point of attachment, providing secure carrying of the wireless device as well as convenient and rapid access when needed.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the protective case is similar to that described above and shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. However, in this embodiment back 12 of protective case 10 is provided with a web or bar 23 for attaching lanyard 21 using spring-activated clip 22, the bar being defined by two substantially parallel slots 24 and 25. The lanyard is attached to the back of the protective case by engaging the jaws of the spring-activated clamp with bar 23, where the jaws enter the two slots as shown. The lanyard may then be used to carry the wireless device in the same manner as with the embodiments described above.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 employs lanyard 30 to which is attached connecting hook 31. The connecting hook has entrance tab 32, stop edge 33, and lanyard connection hole 34. One means for attaching the lanyard to the hook is by inserting an end or a portion of the lanyard through connection hole 34 and providing a means for retaining that lanyard portion in this position. One means for retaining is tying a knot in the lanyard portion inserted through the connection hole.

In this embodiment, the means for attaching lanyard 30 to protective case 10 is slot 29 through back 12 of the protective case, the slot having top edge 28 and bottom edge 27. FIG. 6 shows lanyard 30 attached to protective case 10 by inserting entrance tab 32 through slot 29 and passing the entrance tab through the slot until stop portion 33 contacts top edge 28 of the slot. When a wireless device is inserted in protective case 10, entrance tab 32 will lie flat against the back surface of said wireless device. In this manner, the lanyard is connected to the protective case and to the wireless device and is used to carry the wireless device in the same manner described above.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this embodiment, a protective case has as an attachment structure T-shaped slot 36 with entrance slot portion 37 and locking slot portion 38. Tab 41 has a body 41A and incorporates locking post 42 which is attached to lanyard 39. The attachment of tab 41 to the lanyard may be by means of an adhesive such as an epoxy or by a mechanical means such as a clamp or by inserting a portion of the lanyard through a hole in locking post 42 and tying a knot in that portion. Lanyard 39 is attached to the protective case by passing body 41A through entrance slot portion 37 and positioning locking post 42 in locking slot 38. FIG. 8 shows the lanyard of this embodiment connected to the protective case.

Additional embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11. These embodiments provide a means for carrying a wireless device without requiring that the device be enclosed in a protective case, as described above. Each of these embodiments is based on attaching a thin sheet of material 44 directly to the back surface of wireless device 46. This attachment can be made using a suitable adhesive such as PSA or pressure sensitive adhesive. Suitable materials for use as thin sheet 44 include, but are not limited to, plastics such as polyurethane and metals such as aluminum or stainless steel. A preferred embodiment would use polyurethane between 0.5 mm and 2 mm thick as the thin layer attached to the back of the wireless device.

In each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9-11, the thin sheet of material to be attached directly to the back of a wireless device is provided with attachment means similar to those provided as part of the protective cases disclosed above. In FIG. 10, material sheet 44 is provided with U-shaped tab 48 which can be bent away from the plane of the material as shown at 50. Tab 48 can be provide with no added features as in 52, or with a slot 54 as in 53, or with a rib 56 as in 55. Lanyard 21 is then connected to one of the attachment means using spring-activated clamp 23 or any other suitable means. The wireless device is then carried securely by means of the lanyard in the same manner described above.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that various different modifications and combinations are possible and are contemplated within the true spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. There is not intention, therefore, of limitations to the exact disclosures herein presented. 

1. An apparatus for carrying a wireless device comprising: a protective case configured to enclose a portion of the wireless device, the protective case having a back and incorporating an attachment structure.
 2. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 1, and further having an attachment device removably connectable to the attachment structure.
 3. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 2, and further having a lanyard, the lanyard connected to the attachment device.
 4. An apparatus for carrying a wireless device comprising: a protective case configured to enclose a portion of the wireless device, the protective case having a back and incorporating an attachment structure, wherein the attachment structure is a tab formed by a generally U-shaped portion of the back of the protective case, the tab positioned at an angle out of the plane of the remainder of the back and in a direction away from the wireless device, said angle being selected from the group comprising zero degrees and an angle greater than zero degrees.
 5. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 4, and further having an attachment device removably connectable to the attachment structure.
 6. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 5, wherein the attachment device is a spring-activated clamp, the spring-activated clamp having two jaws and wherein the tab is clamped between the jaws.
 7. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 6, wherein the tab contains a slot and wherein the two jaws of the spring-activated clamp contact each other within the slot.
 8. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 6, wherein the tab contains a rib and wherein tab is clamped between the two jaws at a location between the rib and the wireless device.
 9. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 5, and further having a lanyard, the lanyard connected to the attachment device.
 10. An apparatus for carrying a wireless device comprising: a protective case configured to enclose a portion of the wireless device, the protective case having a back and incorporating an attachment structure, wherein the attachment structure is two slots generally parallel to each other, the two slots being separated by a web in the back of the protective case.
 11. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 10, and further having an attachment device removably connectable to the attachment structure.
 12. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 11, wherein the attachment device is a spring-activated clamp, the spring-activated clamp having two jaws and wherein the web is clamped between the two jaws of the spring-activated clamp.
 13. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 11, and further having a lanyard, the lanyard connected to the attachment device.
 14. An apparatus for carrying a wireless device comprising: a protective case configured to enclose a portion of the wireless device, the protective case having a back and incorporating an attachment structure wherein the attachment structure is a slot through the back of the protective case, the slot having a top edge and a bottom edge.
 15. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 14, and further having an attachment device removably connectable to the attachment structure.
 16. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 14, wherein the attachment device is a clasp having an entry portion and a stop portion, wherein the entry portion is inserted through the slot and is located between the back of the protective case and the wireless device and the stop portion is in contact with the top edge.
 17. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 15, and further having a lanyard, the lanyard connected to the attachment device.
 18. An apparatus for carrying a wireless device comprising: a protective case configured to enclose a portion of the wireless device, the protective case having a back and incorporating an attachment structure, wherein the attachment structure is a T-shaped slot through the back of the protective case, the T-shaped slot having an entry slot portion and a locking slot portion.
 19. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 18, and further having an attachment device removably connectable to the attachment structure.
 20. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 19, wherein the attachment device is a clasp having an entrance clasp portion and a locking post clasp portion, wherein the entrance clasp portion is located between the back of the protective case and the wireless device and the lock post clasp portion is located within the locking slot portion of the T-shaped slot.
 21. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 19, and further having a lanyard, the lanyard being connected to the attachment device.
 22. An apparatus for carrying a wireless device comprising: a protective sheet affixed to the back of the wireless device, the protective sheet incorporating an attachment structure.
 23. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 22, wherein the attachment structure is a tab formed by a generally U-shaped portion of the protective sheet, the tab positioned at an angle out of the plane of the remainder of the protective sheet and in a direction away from the wireless device, said angle being selected from the group comprising zero degrees and an angle greater than zero degrees.
 24. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 22, wherein the protective sheet is affixed to the back of the wireless device by means of an adhesive.
 25. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 23, and further having an attachment device removably connectable to the attachment structure.
 26. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 25, wherein the attachment device is a spring-activated clamp, the spring-activated clamp having two jaws and wherein the tab is clamped between the jaws.
 27. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 26, wherein the tab contains a slot and wherein the two jaws of the spring-activated clamp contact each other within the slot.
 28. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 26, wherein the tab contains a rib and wherein tab is clamped between the two jaws at a location between the rib and the wireless device.
 29. The apparatus for carrying a wireless device according to claim 25, and further having a lanyard, the lanyard connected to the attachment device.
 30. A method for enabling a person to carry a wireless device comprising: enclosing at least a part of the wireless device within a protective case, the protective case incorporating an attachment structure.
 31. A method for enabling a person to carry a wireless device comprising: enclosing at least a part of the wireless device within a protective case, the protective case incorporating an attachment structure; and attaching a lanyard having an attachment device to the attachment structure by means of the attachment device.
 32. A method for enabling a person to carry a wireless device comprising: affixing a protective sheet to the back of the wireless device, the protective sheet incorporating an attachment structure.
 33. A method for enabling a person to carry a wireless device comprising: affixing a protective sheet to the back of the wireless device, the protective sheet incorporating an attachment structure; and attaching a lanyard having an attachment device to the attachment structure by means of the attachment device. 